Snow Day

We woke up about 5:00 am this morning and heard someone scraping the driveway. Rolled over and went back to sleep - too cold - to snowy!!

The snow let up this afternoon so I stuck my head out the front door, looking for the coyotes - I think they better come into the garage until spring!!

The bird bath didn't fair much better - as you can see the patio and walk is shoveled, just as they finished, it began to snow again. The HOA people sat in a truck for about 1/2 hour as it began to snow again, then they got our grabbed snow shovels and I guess they are attempting to shovel again.

My sweetheart braved the storm to collect the mail, I would have just left it there for another day. It stopped again for about 10 minutes, but it is snowing again!!

We love our cozy little home - good thing, because I'm not sure we can get out of it. We just hunker down with books - stitching - Gene is still fiddling in the garage and I just beat him in a rousing game of canasta. Hoping to get out tomorrow to look for book shelves. and celebrate the new year with RosaLee and David!!!

For Loralie

So she knows we are really here and almost settled in. Dad is still "straightening" out the garage, and I am still emptying boxes. See you Sunday after Christmas, and so you know the key is in the usual place.

Continuing the move

On Friday Morning, early, we are not sleeping much at this time. We went back to the "empty" house and vacuumed the down stairs, loaded up the car, and headed out of town.

We stayed Friday Night with Loralie in Vegas, went to their Ward Christmas Party, then on Saturday morning we continued on to Herriman and stayed with Jim and Steph's family on Saturday and Sunday - Thanks so much to Mandy who always gives up her bed for us. We enjoyed visiting with that cute family!!

On Monday the truck arrived via So. Cal., to Reno, to West Jordan. We began unloading about 10:00am! My job was to stand in the middle of the living room and direct traffic. My sister RosaLee came to help me unpack, so we got rid of some boxes. I basically put things where I thought I would look for them next. That doesn't always work, but at this posting we have found most things, except we are missing a phone - I hope it turns up!!!

RosaLee also came on Tuesday to help unload boxes, so we have the China out of boxes and most of my porcelain pieces. On Tuesday evening we went to the Club house for a pot luck dinner. We met many of the residents that live in this community. (there are a lot of old people living here). On Wednesday morning we woke up to 3-4 inches of snow. Boy I really wished I had got for groceries the day before.

We had to go out to breakfast, then immediately to the grocery store. The HOA cleared the drive ways and side walks, but the plow had not yet cleared the streets, so in the process of getting out, you guessed it, we got stuck. (Our next purchase is a snow shovel). Our neighbors behind us, Frank and Robin Bird, that's right Bird. Heard or witnessed (they are deaf) our dilemma and came out and dug us out. So we were able to get food, I hope I don't do that again.

Thursday we continued to unpack boxes, we both caught the flue so it is really slow going, I think though we are "on the mend". Today we hung some pictures and things look much better.

IT'S FUN TO HAVE SONS!!

One of the boys have calles almost every day and they have both come over to help us move furniture, and rearrange the garage to make it easier to get the car in.

On Friday morning I got to play with Jemma for a few hours, I'm looking forward to doing that more often. She was a little disappointed that Grandpa couldn't play with her (he was still sick). She would throw the ball and wonder why he wouldn't throw it back.

Sunday we finally wanted some real food, (our main staple has been soup) so I got to move around the Kitchen and try to find stuff.

I miss my little kitchen, but am figuring out how a bigger kitchen works. I tend to cluster things around the stove, but have to take twice as many steps to the refrigerator, (that might be good for me). I don't know if you can see the difference here, but there is a longer cabinet in this house.

However, it will be convent if there are more than one cook. Or, a "family canning day". In many things we are adjusting.

I'm looking forward to seeing many of my dear family the day after Christmas, and hope you have a wonderful Christmas, as I continue to adjust to a new home and new community.

I almost forgot to mention that Aunt Lee and I have gone shopping together and stopped for lunch. It's so fun to be close to my sister - and she is loving it, we talk almost every day and she has been a great help.

The Move

We packed for "weeks" at lest it seemed so. We had boxes all over the house and as you can see all over the garage!! (Gene did the garage).

Yes! we brought all this wheat, we do have a wheat grinder, if anyone wants some wheat - you may come and grind it or you may come and get what you want for whatever you want.

The movers arrived about 10:00AM on Thursday morning the 9th of December and proceded to load us up. It took them 7 hours to do it, however, we have been in that house for 28 years. Good think I got rid of a "ton" of stuff before we even put it on the market!!!

I might miss the yard once in a while, but we will not miss the yard work. Mowing and weeding etc., has become a real chore lately.

I defenently will not miss the stairs.

We are enjoying our new home in West Jordan, in another post I'll let you know how that move went.

Last Day

We have had a whorl wind of parties and farewells, lunch and dinner with friends and tonight was the last one!!!
"If you want to know how much you are valued in your Ward, Stake or neighborhood, just move."
We have enjoyed this time in our lives and are now ready to move on to, perhaps a quieter time. Of course my Sweetheart will get out in the thick of things. He will probably announce to the Bishop "Her we are, put us to work". I might like a little rest. We'll see how this all pans out.
Moving truck comes tomorrow, 9 Dec. 2010 - we will hopefully be in Las Vegas to go to Loralie's Ward Party on Friday and to Herriman on Saturday. We will probably go to church with Jim and family then the movers will move all our "stuff" into our new place on Monday 13 Dec 2010. Perfect Timing. So this is my last post from California - see you all in Utah!!

Packing, Packing, Packing!!!

Thank You George and Darlene, they came last Saturday and pulled everything out of the top of the garage!!

The decor in the house is "early Box" or maybe it's just "BOX" - there are boxes everywhere and it's only going to get worse from here!!




Soooo Here's the plan we take tomorrow off (Sunday) - we both have a dentist appointment on Monday, then Tuesday and Wednesday are the very last "packing" days. Thursday AM - the Big Truck comes to take away all our "stuff" - if it isn't packed by then - it just stays!!!!

The truck will deliver all our "stuff" in Utah on Monday or Tuesday so then we can began the process in reverse.

Diana and Willie are on their way to "help" - I thought I was finished for the day but Diana said she found 10 more boxes - oh well - "no rest for the wicked" - and the good don't need none - so upward and onward.
Love to all and I'll see you in Utah

Passing the Baton

As many of you know our California Home is in Escrow - I've tried not to get too excited about moving because the buyers have until Nov. 27Th to change their mind. However, everything seems to be settling in place so I'm thinking about packing - after Thanksgiving!

Our calling in the Stake as been Advisers to the Single Adult Program, we have been replaced! Today I passed the baton to another couple that will take our place.

Our Ward Calling has been to coordinate the Ward Temple Night (we have a small temple in our area and to coordinate for a Ward, someone has to reserve places get folks signed up and arrange car pooling. Our Ward likes to go to the Temple as a Ward the first Wed., of each month.) Today in Sacrament someone else was called to do that job.

Soooooo: I think now we absolutely have to move - or what - the Stake and Ward will think we just made it up to get out of callings????

Fun in Utah

A very busy trip to Utah - The purpose was to attend Katie's Farewell, Katie is going to serve in the Spain, Barcelona Mission! She reports to the MTC on Nov. 10, 2010.
I left here on Thurs. the 28 of October and drove to Panaca, Mom and I left Panaca on Friday and drove to Jim and Stephs. The purpose was to get a glimpse of Jim's little ones in their Halloween Costums.

Soooo - Here is Nana with Emily (Hanna Montana), CJ (Indiana Jones) and Nathan. Nathan did want to put his costume on so he's just Nathan.

Saturday we went to Famington to visit with Troy and Nicole and their cute family. Jemma was so cute with her Nana, and began to warm up to her. I didn't have the camera. We went to lunch and had a good visit because the service was so slow. Sometimes you don't care if the service is slow or not. We picked up Aunt Loralie on the way, it was good to hug her neck again.


Sunday was the Farewell, all the family spoke in church, except Nathan, some 4 year old, don't speak in church. But, CJ, Emily, Mandy, Stephanie, Jim and of course Katie did a great job teaching us the Gospel.
Here is Katie with a cake her neighbor made. It's hard to see but there is a Sister Missionary on that cake.


Cute shot of Jemma in Jim's back yard waiting for lunch. Nicole was down with the flu, I hope my Jemma doesn't get it.

Four girl cousins, too bad Melanie wasn't here than I could have 5 girl cousins in one picture once again.

A busy few days, but did have time to witness a sunset out side my sister RosaLee's home, it didn't last long I was fortunate to get this picture.

Monday Katie, Mandy, Stephanie and I went to Lunch to celebrate Stephanie's birthday, I was glad we could get together once more before Katie left. We had a good visit. Then Mom, RosaLie and I went to a "favorite" fabric shop (what fabric shop is not a favorite?) Then to Murry to visit Uncle Alma. Alma is my Dad's youngest brother. He and his wife are doing OK - they have their aches and pains. I'm glad we got the chance to see them, but sad I didn't have my camera.

Monday Night: Family Home Evening at my house, it was empty enough that the kids got a chance to "run and scream, not too much screaming happened though they had a good time to run and slide on the carpet in the empty rooms.

My sweet, quiet nephew Ben joined us - he's so quiet you hardly know he's there. We played Disney Charades and I think he enjoyed being with his younger cousins.

Dinner on a Picnic blanket in front of the fireplace.

Tuesday, Mom and I went back to Panaca, I stayed the night and then came home to California on Wednesday never dreaming we would have really hot weather, I looked at the temperature at one time en route, and almost turned around and went back. 100 degrees in November is just toooooo over the top!!!

A fun, but short trip. Next time I go to Utah it will be with all my furniture in a truck and no return trip. I'm really looking forward to that trip.

My latest stuff

A short post for Autumn! I had a great time doing this pumpkin. The out side is luster - Orange and Green with gold on the tendrils. The inside is a bonus a couple of fun critters surround the pumpkin! Enjoying Fall - I love fall and have enjoyed doing this piece. NEXT--

My Fall Vase with Autumn leaves all the way around. After the bright leaves were finished I put a wash of antique ivory all over it and that did the trick. I really like this vase - what do you think?

Building a "lone star quilt"

The FUN Part!!!

Building a Lone Star Quilt - I had forgotten how time consuming this project is. First, I had a wonderful time at one of my favorite quit shops choosing the fabrics. My friend Julie and I had a great time playing with fabric.

When I got home I wasn't so sure that is what I wanted, I needed my Loralie to come an help me see the contrast was right. I had even dug out extra fabrics from my, greatly diminished stash. Loralie set me straight and so now I'm on a roll.

Next came marking, I'm using Blanch Young's strip quilting method and that requires marking before you cut.

Using Blanch & Helen Young's strip quilting method. It's a lot easier than cutting individual "diamonds". Another plus with this method is you don't have to handle the bias as much, therefore it doesn't stretch.



Next is cutting - I don't know how I made any quilt without the "wizzie wacker" (rotary cutter). When I first began quilting - long, long, ago - all we had to cut with was a scissor. Now I hardly use the scissor.



Make sure you have your fabrics laid out the way you want them to appear in your quilt. In other words, keep all your ducks in a roll!!

Now sew - then you will cut again, then you will sew again. Not as hard as it appears. However you do have to get your points to match. At this part, I decided I had lost the skill needed to make one of these quilts. I'll pass the book on to anyone else that wants it.



So the top is done - squaring it up is a challenge!!! I think it's square --- Next......

It has to grow - so you add boarders to make it fit a bed. This one must fit a king size bed .

It fits on my bed, a queen, like a spread - I hope it fits the King bed it is meant for!!

Yup!!! Too big for my bed.

I don't have a room quite big enough to lay it our and baste it. I like to pin baste - so we crawl around on the floor for a couple of hours to get the job done.

Finally it's on the quilt frame!!! This is the boring part of quilting, so I quilt in front of a TV and because it's October I have a couple of ghost stories to watch. I've already gone through "The Canterville Ghost" and "The Ghost and Mrs. Mur". I guess I will now pull out "Pride and Prejudice" ( the long version) and see if that will help get this baby finished.

I have several Christmas DVD's if it goes that far. The plan is having it finished for Christmas. I also plan to move before then so we'll see what happens. (No the house hasn't sold yet).
Sooooo Keep me in your prayers so Troy and Nicole gets a Christmas Gift this year. I hope they like it!!!!

Something Silly

We were driving in Utah - see the mountains? - and came up behind this "slug bug". It just struck me funny, like "here's looking at you baby"!

That's all just something random and silly I wanted to share.

Thanks to all of you who responded to my Christmas Problem - you are an my list, and I am very soon going shopping.

Christmas

It's October and I usually have most of my Christmas Shopping finished by now!!! I've been holding off because we had hoped to move soon and I was trying to down size so as to not have so much to move. I Cannot wait any longer. I must begin my Christmas Shopping!!!

What I need from my wonder family is sizes for the traditional gift of jemmies for all my little grands. Even the big boys and girls enjoyed them last year, so if no one has any objections we'll do it again. At least they will be easy to move, or send early so I don't have to move them!!

Sizes and color and/or interests please!!!! Krew thanked me many times for the Mario jemmies last year, how do you think I can become a hero this year.

Thanks for all your help and know that I love you all!! GG, Grandma, Mom, Jacquie, etc., etc., etc.

Help

Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010 - a fun day for Gene and I. We closed on our Utah home and afterward wanted to share with our family. So we invited them to our new home to check it out.




Our original plan was to have a "pizza" party in this big empty space, but decided not to spill root beer and/or pizza on the carpet before we actually moved in.
So after the "preview" we went out for pizza at - Santa Monica Pizza, in Jordan Landing. Go figure we have to go to Utah for Santa Monica Pizza




Now my "Sleep Problem". I keep moving furniture around in my head! I know we have too much furniture, but can't decide what to keep and what to get rid of. We are trying to sell the piano, but what to do with family room furniture and formal living room furniture -- which one to keep. What to put into the "sun" room. I would love my sewing space to be there, however, it would make a great library/reading room.
So----- What would you do with my furniture. I admit I'm tempted to sell the lot here in California and start over in Utah! I don't think my HH thinks much of that idea, hummmmmm I wonder???

Honey I'm home

We signed all the papers, there was a ton, took over an hour. Now this cute little home is officially ours. Of course it is empty and will remain so until we can sell this one and move all our "stuff" to Utah.

Tamra call this morning and said: All is recorded an it is officially your (and the banks). I hope we can move in before we have to began making payments.

I have caught up on all your blogs, thanks for being better at posting than I am!! I really enjoy seeing what you are doing and the pictures of my cute grand babies.

I have some pictures on my camera, and when I can find it, I'll post again with pictures. We had a fun "get together" on Saturday Evening. I hope all my girls has taken the time to listen to or watch Women's Conference. I watched it last night before bed and loved what President Monson said especially. I'm glad my sweetheart was setting beside me at that time, however, it probably didn't really sink in. We'll see, it's hard to teach an old hubby new tricks.

I love you all, thanks for being so accommodating when we can all get in one location!!!